Birthday Training Day

It's my birthday today. Since the weather here in London has risen a few degrees and it's dry I decided to take the day off work and indulge myself in a few hours of training. I started off the morning with a 2 hour bike ride doing loops around Regents Park. It's pretty hard finding good riding in the London area because there is so much traffic. Doing loops around the park may not be the most interesting of rides but since there isn't much traffic on the perimeter road and not many traffic lights either it's a bit like cycling around a giant track. I did the ride on my Wilier Izoard Pro. I've had the bike for exactly a year now, it was a birthday present to myself this time last year. It's an ideal bike for what I use it for which is mainly weekend long rides and cyclo sportives. The frame is stiff and responsive and also very comfortable. Add to the mix the excellent Campagnola Chorus (10 speed) group and a set of bomb proof Fulrum Racing 3 wheels and I have to say it's a pleasure to ride every single time.

After the ride I quickly changed into my running kit, at home, and headed out to Victoria Park for a 13k run. I suppose I did what a triathlete would call a brick workout although I have to say I'm not training for either a triathlon or duathlon. I do have a 10k race coming up soon as well as a number of sportives over the next 6 months but I did today's session simply because I enjoy getting out and pushing myself.

Betty and I are off to a local Vietnamese restaurant this evening to celebrate my birthday. Fresh rolls and deep fried squid, mmmm, can't wait!